Fiji Airways ends Adelaide service [back in 2022]

[davistev]

Effective July 20th, service to Adelaide ends. I just got off the line with Fiji Airways. I have been given the choice of a full refund or re-route via Melbourne with FJ connecting me with ADL-MEL QF flights.

 

[Pushka]

Effective July 20th, service to Adelaide ends. I just got off the line with Fiji Airways. I have been given the choice of a full refund or re-route via Melbourne with FJ connecting me with ADL-MEL QF flights.

That didn’t last long!

 

[davistev]

They relied too much on ADL-NAN point to point traffic. When in fact Fiji Airways should have timed the Adelaide -NAN flights to connect with LAX / SFO services rather than the 15 hour stopover. Arrival in NAN was around 6AM connecting at 9 or 10PM to West coast USA. A lost opportunity.

 

[AIRwin]

Wonder if the 737 MAX was also a factor?

 

[straitman]

Wonder if the 737 MAX was also a factor?

It would have an impact but 2 flights a week isn’t much impact on that IMHO.

 

[ozfflyer]

That didn’t last long!

bit like their NAN/OOL & NAN/CBR services which should have been marketed better as one stop route to LAX/SFO. Changing aircraft at NAN is so easy(like 50 to 100 m walk) compared to any other option with the exception of AKL.

 

[jase05]

Really not surprised it has struggled. The main complaint I hear is that the timings are just ordinary especially for families. 2300 departure for a 0540 arrival in NAN and either having to pay for an extra night accommodation or sitting around waiting for hotel check in to open. The families we know who are regular visitors to Fiji always head to SYD or MEL and get one of the early morning departures.

 

[Pushka]

Really not surprised it has struggled. The main complaint I hear is that the timings are just ordinary especially for families. 2300 departure for a 0540 arrival in NAN and either having to pay for an extra night accommodation or sitting around waiting for hotel check in to open. The families we know who are regular visitors to Fiji always head to SYD or MEL and get one of the early morning departures.

Could they make it any worse?

 

[Austman]

Could they make it any worse?

The daily flight MEL-NAN FJ930 departs even later at 23:35 but arrives 06:30. Horrible timings for those going to Fiji on holiday. The return flight NAN-MEL FJ931 departs 18:50 which would often need a very late hotel check-out or a long airport visit.

It was good for me when I was working near NAN. But if going on holiday to Fiji?

 

[ozfflyer]

The daily flight MEL-NAN FJ930 departs even later at 23:35 but arrives 06:30. Horrible timings for those going to Fiji on holiday. The return flight NAN-MEL FJ931 departs 18:50 which would often need a very late hotel check-out or a long airport visit.

It was good for me when I was working near NAN. But if going on holiday to Fiji?

FJ have put on some daylight flights out of MEL to NAN that connect well with flights to LAX & SFO at least in January.

Red eye flights suck big time, as you're lucky to get 2 hours sleep, then feel awful in Fiji.

With the economy going pear shaped fast in OZ, FJ should possibly work in with the opposition ie. VA in getting people to NAN. FJ recently cut low season BNE/NAN from daily to 5 days a week, one or 2 of those are red eyes.

The NAN/LAX flight is already codeshared with AA, QF, NZ & others. Saw a cheap virgin ticket to LAX the other day at some online site, that was VA metal to OZ to NAN, then an NZ flight number on FJ metal to LAX.

 

[straitman]

VA184 now leaves NAN for MEL at 1920 which is even worse. They recently put 184 & 185 back about 3 hrs.

 

[ozfflyer]

VA184 now leaves NAN for MEL at 1920 which is even worse. They recently put 184 & 185 back about 3 hrs.

MEL/LAX on FJ at start of Jan is possible with only 3 hours at NAN (Thu & Sat) or extra 30 mins for SFO (Sat).

LAX/MEL on FJ Tue & Thu only 1 hour at NAN.

 

[Isochronous]

Sorry to hear.

 

[Mattg]

Looks like this route is back - 2x weekly and with a much better schedule (flights are in daylight hours).

 

[AIRwin]

Buladelaide!

 

[straitman]

Something we will look at.

 

[Pushka]

Something we will look at.

We did, but the timings don't work so good if you are still working. Fiji was the first overseas destination I went to, Back in 1978.

 

[straitman]

1315 Dep and 2005 Arr are horrible times.

 

[Mattg]

1315 Dep and 2005 Arr are horrible times.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic, but they seem better than the old schedule of 23:35-06:30+1

 

[AIRwin]

1315 Dep and 2005 Arr are horrible times.

Too early/late to allow for connections?